Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Head Start Health Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

The Head Start Health Specialist is the cornerstone of the program's commitment to holistic child development, serving as the lead expert and coordinator for all health, dental, nutrition, and mental health services. This role is not just administrative; it's a dynamic blend of direct support, strategic planning, and community partnership building. You are the advocate and resource who ensures every child is healthy, safe, and ready to thrive in our learning environments. This position requires a passionate professional who can navigate complex health systems, empower families with knowledge, and ensure meticulous compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), ultimately shaping the long-term well-being of children and the entire community.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Registered Nurse (RN) with a background in pediatrics or community health.
Public Health Educator or Coordinator.
Licensed Social Worker (LSW/LCSW) with a focus on child and family services.
Experienced Head Start Family Advocate or a similar role in early childhood programs.

Advancement To:

Health Services Director for a multi-site agency or larger organization.
Head Start Program Director or Assistant Director.
Regional Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) Specialist.
Public Health Program Manager in a government or non-profit setting.

Lateral Moves:

Disabilities Services Coordinator
Family and Community Engagement Manager
Early Childhood Education Coach or Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and rigorously monitor a comprehensive health services plan that addresses prevention, screening, treatment, and follow-up care for all enrolled children.
Ensure the program maintains full compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, particularly the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) related to health, safety, nutrition, and dental care.
Establish and nurture strong, collaborative partnerships with local medical, dental, and mental health providers to create a robust referral network and facilitate access to services for families.
Systematically track, document, and manage all required health screenings—including vision, hearing, dental, and developmental screenings—ensuring timely completion and appropriate follow-up for any identified concerns.
Actively work with families to help them establish a consistent medical and dental home and understand the importance of preventative care, including the EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment) schedule.
Meticulously review and maintain children's health records upon enrollment and throughout the year, verifying immunization status, physical exams, and dental reports to meet program requirements.
Collaborate closely with nutrition staff or consultants to plan and approve menus that are not only nutritious and compliant with USDA guidelines but also culturally appropriate and accommodate all special dietary needs and allergies.
Design and deliver engaging, informative training sessions for staff, parents, and volunteers on critical health and safety topics such as First Aid, CPR, infectious disease control, medication administration, and child abuse prevention.
Conduct routine health and safety inspections of all program facilities, including classrooms, playgrounds, and kitchens, to identify and mitigate potential hazards and ensure a safe, sanitary environment.
Oversee the program's complete medication administration protocol, including the secure storage, precise documentation, and safe administration of all prescribed medications to children.
Partner with the Disabilities Services Coordinator to ensure seamless integration of health plans, accommodations, and specialized services for children with chronic health conditions or identified disabilities.
Lead and facilitate the Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC), bringing together community partners, parents, and staff to review health data and provide guidance on program policies and services.
Create and distribute accessible health and wellness educational materials for families on a wide range of topics, including oral hygiene, physical activity, healthy eating habits, and mental wellness strategies.
Serve as the primary point of contact for medical emergencies and health-related incidents, ensuring that proper emergency procedures are executed, documented, and reviewed for future prevention.
Maintain highly accurate, confidential, and up-to-date health information for every child within the program's designated data management system (e.g., ChildPlus), ensuring data integrity for reporting.
Analyze aggregate health and nutrition data to identify trends, measure service effectiveness, and prepare detailed reports for program leadership, the Policy Council, and federal monitoring reviews.
Provide intensive case management and advocacy for families navigating complex healthcare systems, assisting them in accessing necessary treatments, specialist appointments, and insurance coverage.
Participate in home visits alongside Family Service staff, when necessary, to provide targeted health education, address specific family health concerns, and build trusting relationships.
Champion a culture of mental health and wellness throughout the program by promoting social-emotional learning, coordinating with mental health consultants, and connecting families to community mental health resources.
Lead the annual review and revision of all health, safety, and nutrition-related policies and procedures to ensure they reflect best practices and current standards.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to inform program quality improvement initiatives.
Contribute to the organization's strategic planning by providing insights and recommendations on health-related trends and community needs.
Collaborate with other program coordinators and management to ensure a holistic, integrated service delivery model for children and families.
Participate in community health fairs and outreach events to promote the Head Start program and build community awareness.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Regulatory Expertise: Deep and practical knowledge of the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), particularly subparts related to Health and Safety.
Health Data Management: Proficiency in using child data management systems like ChildPlus or similar platforms for tracking, reporting, and analysis.
Public Health Principles: Strong understanding of community and public health concepts, including the EPSDT framework, immunization schedules, and preventative health strategies.
Health Assessment: Competency in reviewing and interpreting health screenings, medical records, and developmental assessments to identify needs and required follow-up.
HIPAA and Confidentiality: Solid understanding of and commitment to maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and HIPAA compliance with sensitive family health information.
Training and Facilitation: Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver effective, engaging training programs for adults with diverse learning styles and backgrounds.
Nutrition and Allergy Management: Knowledge of USDA CACFP guidelines, pediatric nutrition, and best practices for managing food allergies in a group care setting.

Soft Skills

Interpersonal Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate with empathy, clarity, and cultural sensitivity when interacting with diverse families, staff, and community partners.
Organizational Prowess: Superior organizational and time-management skills, with the capacity to manage multiple complex tasks, deadlines, and a high volume of documentation.
Advocacy and Empathy: A genuine passion for advocating on behalf of children and families, coupled with the empathy to understand their challenges and build trusting relationships.
Critical Thinking: Strong problem-solving skills to navigate complex family situations, address systemic barriers to care, and make sound judgments in high-pressure situations.
Collaborative Spirit: A team-oriented mindset with a proven ability to work effectively across different departments and with external community agencies to achieve common goals.
Resilience and Adaptability: The ability to remain composed and flexible in a fast-paced environment, adapting to changing priorities and unexpected challenges with a positive attitude.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. In some cases, an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN/ASN) combined with extensive, directly relevant experience may be considered.

Preferred Education:

A Master's degree in Public Health (MPH), Nursing (MSN) with a community focus, Health Education, or Social Work (MSW).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Public Health
Nursing
Health Education
Social Work
Nutrition Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of professional experience in community health, public health, nursing, or social services, with a strong focus on working with pediatric populations and underserved families.

Preferred:

Prior experience working directly within a Head Start or Early Head Start program is highly desirable.
Experience in a coordination, case management, or supervisory role that involved program monitoring and compliance.
Current certification in First Aid and CPR, or the ability to become certified upon hiring.
Bilingual skills (especially Spanish) are often a significant asset.